Nursing Home Coverage

Nursing home eligibility is based on your income and resources. The financial eligibility process takes several things into consideration.  Below are a few important items to understand about how income is counted and treated for Nursing Home eligibility: 

• During the eligibility determination, DHW will determine how much income belongs to each spouse to find out if the spouse in the nursing home meets the income limit. In most cases, you must use the "name on the check" method. This is based on who receives each check or payment. If money is received in both names, half is counted for each spouse.
• There is another method for dividing your income called "community property." It divides a couple’s total income in half and counts one-half for each spouse. Only one spouse can receive Medicaid when using this method.  
• After you qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to use some of your income to support the spouse at home. This is separate from a resource transfer. 
• If you decide to transfer income between spouses or to anyone else, you must follow certain rules or you could delay or lose Medicaid benefits. Make sure you contact the Department of Health and Welfare before you make any income transfers as it could impact your eligibility. 
• Depending on your income, you may have a share of cost where you will be responsible to contribute to the cost of care. You will receive a notice from us regarding your share of cost.